Irresistible Mozzarella & Cream Cheese Pull Apart Bread: Your Ultimate Appetizer Recipe

Prepare to delight your taste buds with this incredible Mozzarella & Cream Cheese Pull Apart Bread! Imagine soft, fluffy dough generously filled with a creamy, savory blend of mozzarella and cream cheese, then baked to golden perfection and topped with fragrant fresh herbs. This isn’t just a snack; it’s a showstopper appetizer that’s perfect for any occasion – from a cozy Sunday gathering to a lively party, or even a holiday spread. Each tear-apart bite offers a warm, gooey burst of cheesy goodness, making it an instant crowd-pleaser that guests will rave about. This homemade pull apart bread is surprisingly simple to make and always a spectacular addition to any table. Sounds absolutely irresistible, doesn’t it?

Expert Tips for Baking Perfect Pull Apart Bread Every Time

Crafting the perfect pull apart bread might seem daunting at first, but with these expert tips, you’ll achieve a beautifully soft, flavorful, and perfectly risen loaf that’s sure to impress everyone. Pay close attention to these details for an outstanding result, whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to making homemade bread:

Dough Preparation is Key: Even if you don’t own a fancy bread baking machine, you can still achieve a wonderfully flexible and elastic dough. Dedicate 10 to 15 minutes to kneading by hand or using a stand mixer with a dough hook. This crucial step develops the gluten, which is essential for that signature soft, chewy, and airy texture that makes pull apart bread so enjoyable. Once adequately kneaded, let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about an hour. This initial rise allows the yeast to work its magic, causing the dough to double in size before you proceed with shaping and filling. Patience during this first rise truly pays off in the final texture of your bread.
Achieving a Soft, Golden Crust: For an irresistibly soft and slightly glossy bun exterior, a generous brushing of melted butter as a topping is highly recommended. The butter not only adds richness and a delicate flavor but also helps the bread achieve a beautiful golden-brown color during baking. For an extra layer of savory depth and aromatic appeal, consider using melted herb butter, which complements the cheesy filling wonderfully and elevates the overall taste profile. This simple step transforms the appearance and taste significantly.
Optimal Rising Environment: To prevent your delicate dough from drying out during its second rise and to ensure maximum softness and fluffiness, it’s vital to create a warm and humid environment. After shaping your filled buns, arrange them on your baking sheet. Then, place a damp tea towel directly over the buns, and cover the entire setup completely with plastic wrap. This clever technique traps moisture and warmth, allowing the dough to rise effectively and become light and airy without forming a dry, unwanted crust on the surface.
Precision in Ingredient Measurement: Baking is often referred to as a science, and accurate measurement of ingredients is paramount for consistent and excellent results. Always weigh your ingredients, especially flour, using a kitchen scale rather than relying solely on volume measurements (cups). This ensures the correct ratio of wet to dry ingredients, which directly impacts the dough’s consistency, its ability to rise, the final texture, and the overall success of your homemade pull apart bread.
Strategic Salt and Yeast Placement: A common pitfall in bread baking is allowing active yeast to come into direct contact with pure salt. Salt can inhibit or even kill the yeast, preventing your dough from rising properly and leading to dense, heavy bread. To avoid this crucial mistake, always add salt as far away from the yeast as possible in your mixing bowl. Even better, for an extra layer of safety, incorporate the salt after you’ve already kneaded the dough for about 5 minutes. By then, the yeast will have begun its activation process safely, minimizing any potential negative interaction.

Creative Substitutions & Flavor Variations

While this recipe for Mozzarella & Cream Cheese Pull Apart Bread is fantastic as written, don’t hesitate to experiment with substitutions to fit your pantry contents, dietary needs, or personal taste preferences. Baking is an art, and creativity is encouraged!

Buttermilk Alternatives: If you find yourself without buttermilk on hand, there’s an easy homemade substitute that works perfectly. Simply combine 250 ml of regular milk (dairy or non-dairy) with 1 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Stir it gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles and thickens. This acidic concoction is essential for activating the yeast and tenderizing the dough, contributing significantly to the bread’s signature soft and tender texture.
Herb Customization: The fresh herb topping is a highlight of this bread, adding a wonderful aroma and burst of flavor. Feel free to substitute the suggested rosemary and basil with any herbs of your choice. Fresh parsley, snipped chives, fragrant oregano, or a touch of earthy thyme would all be absolutely delicious. You can even use a blend of Italian herbs for a different flavor profile, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture for a spicy kick. The key is to use fresh, finely chopped herbs for the best and most vibrant taste and aroma.
Cheese Combinations: While mozzarella and cream cheese create a wonderfully creamy and melt-in-your-mouth filling, feel free to experiment with other cheese combinations. A touch of grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano can add a sharper, saltier note. Smoked provolone could offer a unique smoky flavor. Just ensure your chosen cheeses melt well and blend nicely with the cream cheese for that gooey center.

Perfect Pairings & Serving Suggestions

This Mozzarella & Cream Cheese Pull Apart Bread is incredibly versatile and makes a fantastic, crowd-pleasing addition to various meals and gatherings. Here’s how to best enjoy and serve this delightful creation:

Elevate Your Appetizer Spread: This bread truly shines as the star of an appetizer buffet, which is a particular favorite for relaxed Sunday afternoons or festive holiday celebrations! Serve it alongside a crisp glass of white wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, or a light-bodied red such as a Beaujolais. For an extra indulgent treat, offer some additional warmed garlic butter for dipping or spreading onto the torn pieces, or a vibrant herb dipper made with high-quality olive oil and a blend of your favorite spices. Its communal, shareable nature makes it perfect for encouraging conversation and enjoyment amongst guests.
Ideal for Parties and Potlucks: Planning a party or attending a potluck? This pull apart bread is not only incredibly delicious but also visually appealing, making it an excellent and memorable centerpiece. It’s wonderfully easy to serve and eat, as guests can simply pull off a warm, cheesy piece. This minimizes mess and maximizes enjoyment, making it ideal for casual and lively gatherings alike.
A Comforting Side Dish: Don’t limit this delectable bread to just appetizers. It makes a wonderfully comforting and flavorful side dish for a variety of main courses. Imagine pairing it with a hearty bowl of tomato soup, a fresh garden salad, or a simple pasta dinner. The cheesy, herby flavor profile complements a wide range of dishes, adding a touch of homemade comfort and gourmet flair to any meal. It’s especially good with grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

Storing Your Delicious Pull Apart Bread for Optimal Freshness

While this pull apart bread is undeniably at its peak when enjoyed fresh out of the oven, radiating warmth and irresistible aromas, you can absolutely prepare it ahead of time or store leftovers to savor later. Proper storage techniques ensure it retains as much of its delightful flavor and tender texture as possible:

Enjoying Fresh: For the ultimate culinary experience, we highly recommend serving and consuming this bread on the very day it’s baked. The warmth, the luscious meltiness of the cheese, and the slight crispness of the crust are truly unmatched and at their absolute best when fresh. This is when the flavors are most vibrant and the texture is perfectly soft.
Room Temperature Storage: If you happen to have any leftovers, or if you’re preparing the bread a few hours in advance of serving, allow the bread to cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil. This prevents it from drying out and helps maintain its softness. Store the foil-wrapped bread at room temperature. To re-crisp and warm, bake the bread (still wrapped in foil to keep moisture in) for about 10 minutes at 220 degrees Celsius (425°F) before bringing it back to the table for serving.
Freezing for Longer Shelf Life: This versatile bread freezes beautifully, allowing you to enjoy it for up to 2 weeks. For optimal preservation and to prevent freezer burn, first wrap the completely cooled bread securely in aluminum foil. Then, add an additional protective layer of plastic foil before placing it in the freezer. When you’re ready to indulge, there’s no need to thaw! You can bake it directly from frozen. Simply remove only the plastic wrap, leave the aluminum foil on, and bake for approximately 20 minutes at 220 degrees Celsius (425°F). This method ensures it reheats evenly, the cheese re-melts perfectly, and the bread remains wonderfully moist and flavorful.

Explore More Irresistible Bread & Appetizer Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with this Mozzarella & Cream Cheese Pull Apart Bread, you’re in for a real treat! We have a fantastic collection of other delicious bread and appetizer recipes that are perfect for sharing, entertaining, or simply enjoying as a comforting snack. Dive into these tempting options to expand your baking repertoire and discover new favorites:

Garlic Butter and Cheese Pull Apart Bread: Take the classic pull apart concept to another level with this savory version, absolutely loaded with aromatic garlic butter and gooey, melted cheese. It’s a guaranteed hit for garlic lovers and a perfect companion to Italian meals.
Caprese Baguette: This delicious filled bread combines the fresh, vibrant flavors of a classic Caprese salad – ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil – all baked into a crispy baguette. It’s like a taste of Italy in every bite, ideal for a light lunch or a sophisticated starter.
Dip and Break Bread with Camembert: For an elegant yet incredibly easy appetizer, try this delightful bread specifically designed to be broken and dipped into a warm, runny Camembert cheese. It’s perfect for a cozy evening, a wine tasting, or a sophisticated gathering with friends.
Beer Cheese Bread: This hearty, savory bread is a must-try for both beer and cheese enthusiasts. With its rich, malty flavor from the beer and generous cheesy goodness, it’s an excellent appetizer or a robust accompaniment to hearty stews, chili, or grilled sausages.
Baguette with Goat Cheese, Herb Butter and Ham: Elevate a simple baguette into a gourmet delight with the tangy creaminess of goat cheese, aromatic herb butter, and savory slices of ham. It’s a sophisticated twist that’s surprisingly easy to make and incredibly satisfying for brunch or a light dinner.

It’s a good taste!

Recipe: Pull Apart Bread Filled with Mozzarella and Cream Cheese

Did you create this amazing Mozzarella and Cream Cheese Pull Apart Bread? We’d absolutely love to see your culinary masterpiece! Share your photos and experiences by tagging #byandreajanssen on Instagram or Twitter. It brings us so much joy to see you bring our recipes to life and discover your unique twists. You can also share your baking adventures on our Facebook channel or save this delightful recipe to your Pinterest boards so it’s always easy to find next time you’re craving a cheesy, herby treat. Happy baking and see you soon for more delicious ideas!

📖 Recipe

RECIPE CARD

Breekbolletjes met roomkaas en mozzarella

Pull apart bread filled with mozzarella and cream cheese

Andréa

This delightful pull apart bread is a sensational appetizer, perfect for sharing and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Each soft, fluffy bun is generously stuffed with a creamy, savory blend of mozzarella and rich cream cheese, creating an utterly delicious and satisfying snack that’s ideal for any gathering. It’s a wonderful dish for a relaxed Sunday afternoon, a festive party, or any time you need a comforting and flavorful bite that everybody will love to pull apart and enjoy.

5 of 21 votes

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Cook Time 30 minutes

rise time 3 hours

Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes

Course Appetizers and Snacks, Bread Baking, Side Dish

Cuisine Other

Servings 17 appetizers

Calories 151 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

bread

▢ 4 grams yeast
▢ 5 grams sugar
▢ 255 mL butter milk
▢ 35 grams butter, melted
▢ 7 grams salt
▢ 400 grams flour

Filled bread

▢ 40 grams mozzarella , grated
▢ 100 grams cream cheese
▢ 1 clove garlic, chopped finely

Topping

▢ 2 tablespoons herb butter , melted
▢ 3 tablespoons herbs , very fine chopped like fresh basil / rosemary and thyme

All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.

Instructions

Bread Dough Preparation

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Prepare the Dough: If using a bread baking machine, add all the bread ingredients (yeast, sugar, buttermilk, melted butter, salt, flour) into the machine’s pan following the manufacturer’s specific instructions. Typically, liquids like buttermilk and melted butter go in first, topped with flour, then the remaining dry ingredients including yeast and sugar, with salt added last or separately to avoid direct contact with the yeast. Select the ‘dough’ cycle, which will handle both the kneading and the first rise, usually taking about 1 to 1.5 hours. If kneading by hand or with a stand mixer, combine all bread ingredients except salt in a large bowl. Knead for 5 minutes until somewhat combined, then add the salt and continue kneading for another 10-15 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and passes the windowpane test. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat, cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
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Roll Out the Dough: Once the dough has completed its first rise and doubled in volume, gently punch it down to release the accumulated air. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out evenly into a large rectangular shape, aiming for dimensions of approximately 45 x 30 cm (about 18 x 12 inches). Ensure the thickness is consistent across the entire rectangle for even baking.
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Portion the Dough: With precision, use a pizza roller or a sharp knife to carefully cut the rolled-out dough into 24 almost equal squares or rectangles. These individual pieces will form the delightful mini buns that you will soon fill and shape into your pull apart bread. Aim for consistency in size so they bake evenly.

Filling and Shaping the Bread

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Prepare the Cheesy Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the grated mozzarella cheese and the finely chopped garlic. Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easier mixing. Mix all these ingredients thoroughly until they are well incorporated and you have a smooth, spreadable, and wonderfully fragrant cheese mixture.
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Fill Each Dough Piece: Take one individual piece of the cut dough and gently flatten it slightly in the palm of your hand. Carefully place about one level teaspoon of the prepared cheese mixture directly in the center of the dough. Don’t overfill, as it will make sealing more difficult.
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Form the Buns: Carefully gather and fold the edges of the dough over the cheese filling, pinching the seams tightly and thoroughly to seal it completely. Pay special attention to securely sealing the sides and the bottom to prevent any of the delicious cheese from leaking out during the baking process. Once sealed, gently roll the dough into a smooth, round ball in your hands.
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Arrange for Second Rise: Repeat the entire filling and shaping process for all 24 dough pieces until you have a tray full of perfectly formed, cheesy buns. Arrange the formed buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a round baking pan, leaving a small, consistent space between each bun as they will expand significantly during the second rise and baking. You can arrange them in a creative pattern, such as a large Christmas tree shape for a festive touch during the holidays, or simply a classic circular pull-apart arrangement.
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Second Rise (Proofing): To ensure a light and airy texture, cover the arranged buns with a moist tea towel. Then, gently cover the entire baking sheet with plastic foil or cling film, creating a tent. Place them in a warm, draft-free spot (such as a slightly warm oven that’s turned off, or a sunny corner of your kitchen) and let them rise for another 1 hour, or until they look visibly puffy and have expanded to almost touch each other. This second proofing stage is crucial for the final bread structure.
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Preheat Oven: While the bread is on its second rise, take this opportunity to preheat your oven. Set the temperature to 200 degrees Celsius (approximately 390°F). Ensure the oven is fully preheated for at least 15-20 minutes before placing the bread inside; this helps achieve even baking and a beautiful crust.
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Bake to Golden Perfection: Once the oven is preheated and the bread has risen sufficiently, carefully place the baking sheet with the pull apart bread into the hot oven. Bake for approximately 17 minutes, or until the buns are beautifully golden brown on top and cooked through. You can test for doneness by gently tapping a bun; it should sound hollow. The internal temperature of the bread should register between 90-95°C (195-205°F).
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Prepare Herb Topping: While your delectable bread is baking, gently melt the herb butter in a small saucepan over low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl. Keep your fresh, finely chopped herbs ready and set aside for the final touch.
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Finish with Butter and Herbs: As soon as the pull apart bread comes out of the oven, while it’s still piping hot, immediately and generously brush the tops of all the buns with the melted herb butter. The warm bread will readily absorb this fragrant butter. Then, lavishly sprinkle the fresh, finely chopped herbs over the warm, buttery surface. This step not only adds a beautiful sheen and rich flavor but also a burst of fresh aroma that will tantalize your senses.
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Serve and Enjoy! Your spectacular Mozzarella & Cream Cheese Pull Apart Bread is now ready! Serve it right away while it’s still warm and the cheese is delightfully gooey and stretchable. Encourage everyone to pull apart the individual buns and enjoy this irresistible, cheesy, and herby homemade treat!

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 4gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 236mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 231IUVitamin C: 1mgIron: 1mg

Keyword a pull apart bread

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Essential Kitchen Tools for This Recipe

Having the right tools can significantly enhance your baking experience, making the process smoother and more enjoyable. Here are the essential kitchen utensils and equipment we recommend and used to prepare this delightful pull apart bread. For your convenience, following the links will take you to more detailed information about each item, and you can conveniently order them if you need to upgrade or expand your kitchen arsenal:

A Good Pair of Knives: Essential for precision and efficiency in the kitchen. A sharp chef’s knife or a utility knife is indispensable for tasks like finely chopping garlic and fresh herbs, and for neatly portioning your dough if you opt not to use a pizza roller. Sharp knives are not only more effective but also safer to use.
Cutting Board: A sturdy and clean cutting board is a fundamental piece of kitchen equipment. It provides a safe and hygienic surface for all your preparation needs, from mincing garlic and chopping fresh herbs to rolling out and cutting your dough without damaging your countertops. Choose one that is stable and easy to clean.
Brushes, Spatulas, and Other Cooking Utensils: A silicone pastry brush is crucial for generously applying the melted herb butter onto your warm, freshly baked bread, ensuring every bun is coated. Flexible spatulas are perfect for thoroughly mixing the cream cheese filling. Having a variety of reliable and multi-purpose utensils simplifies many steps in the recipe and makes cooking a breeze.
Sheet Pan, Baking Tray or Baking Sheet: A good quality baking sheet is absolutely crucial for this recipe. It’s used for arranging your shaped pull apart buns for their second rise and then for baking them evenly in the oven. A heavy-duty, light-colored baking pan will ensure consistent heat distribution, preventing hot spots and contributing to a perfectly golden-brown crust.
Baking Paper or Baking Mat: Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or a reusable silicone baking mat is a game-changer. It prevents the delicate bread from sticking to the pan, ensures effortless cleanup after baking, and helps in achieving a perfect, even golden-brown crust on the bottom of your buns without them burning.
Bread Baking Machine (Optional but Recommended): While this recipe can certainly be made by hand kneading, a bread baking machine simplifies the dough preparation process immensely. It efficiently handles the kneading and the crucial first rise, saving you significant time and effort. Using a machine also helps ensure a consistent dough quality, which is vital for the soft and fluffy texture of your pull apart bread. If you bake bread often, it’s a worthwhile investment.